# 2000 ford taurus sputters **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [June 20, 2014, 8:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-taurus-sputters/85539 "2014-06-20T08:56:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![scott92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@scott92](https://community.cartalk.com/u/scott92)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 8:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-taurus-sputters/85539/1 "2014-06-20T08:56:57Z")
I have a 2000 ford taurus V6. It sputters going up hills and at stop lights. I’ve serviced the motor and fixed two cracked vacuum hoses. No engine lights are on. Not sure what to do next ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 9:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-taurus-sputters/85539/2 "2014-06-20T09:37:10Z")
Got codes? The CEL light does not have to be illuminated to have stored codes. Beyond that, start with the basics; fuel line pressure, injector performance, compression, good spark, good spark timing, steady good vacuum. The exhaust could be plugged, but that’s not the first place to look. Start by having the ECU scanned for stored fault codes. If there are none, check the compression. Post the results and we’ll go from there. By the way, how many miles are on this baby? Does it burn any oil? Is this a sudden new symptom, or the end of a long process of deterioration? Or is the car new to you? ---
**Author:** ![scott92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@scott92](https://community.cartalk.com/u/scott92)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 9:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-taurus-sputters/85539/3 "2014-06-20T09:48:39Z")
95000 miles. It doesn’t burn oil and yes new symptom. I thought the engine light had to be on to read codes ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 9:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-taurus-sputters/85539/4 "2014-06-20T09:53:06Z")
That’s a common misconception. ---
**Author:** ![scott92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@scott92](https://community.cartalk.com/u/scott92)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 10:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-taurus-sputters/85539/5 "2014-06-20T10:00:20Z")
I will bring my scan tool home from work tomorrow and see what comes up thanks for the help ---
**Author:** ![MG-McAnick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mg-mcanick/32/188_2.png) [@MG-McAnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MG-McAnick)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 5:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-taurus-sputters/85539/6 "2014-06-20T17:05:11Z")
Was one of the vacuum lines you fixed the one at the passenger side end of the intake manifold that connects to the PCV? It can look good and still leak direct manifold vacuum like a sieve. ---
**Author:** ![scott92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@scott92](https://community.cartalk.com/u/scott92)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 11:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-taurus-sputters/85539/7 "2014-06-20T23:24:00Z")
Ya. I replaced the pcv and hoses ---
**Author:** ![scott92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@scott92](https://community.cartalk.com/u/scott92)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 9:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-taurus-sputters/85539/8 "2014-06-22T21:01:23Z")
Code P0302 comes up. Cylinder #2 misfire ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 11:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-taurus-sputters/85539/9 "2014-06-22T23:26:04Z")
@scott92‌ Check compression on all 6 cylinders I wouldn’t be surprised if #2 has significantly lower compression I’ve seen this problem on the 3.0 Vulcan engines before ---
**Author:** ![scott92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@scott92](https://community.cartalk.com/u/scott92)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 12:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-taurus-sputters/85539/10 "2014-06-23T00:22:11Z")
So if #2 is low how do I go around that. Re build? ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 12:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-taurus-sputters/85539/11 "2014-06-23T00:48:17Z")
If #2 has low compression, you need to find out why Squirt oil into the spark plug hole and do a wet compression test Higher compression = worn pistons, rings or cylinders Same compression = your problem is top end If the problem is top end, you need a valve job If the problem is bottom end, it’s not worth fixing, in my opinion Please don’t shoot the messenger ---
**Author:** ![scott92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@scott92](https://community.cartalk.com/u/scott92)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 1:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-taurus-sputters/85539/12 "2014-06-23T01:23:09Z")
Ya It’s not worth rebuilding the motor. Thanks for the info ---
**Author:** ![mystic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@mystic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mystic)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 3:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-taurus-sputters/85539/13 "2014-06-23T03:35:28Z")
Does your Taurus have the 3.4L engine? Because if it does, it looks like your valve lash is adjustable. Out-of-spec. valve clearance has been know for throwing misfire codes. [http://www.autozone.com/autozone/repairguides/Ford-Sable-Taurus-2000-05/Engine-Mechanical-Components/Valve-Lash-Clearance-Adjustment/\_/P-0996b43f8036e1ec](http://www.autozone.com/autozone/repairguides/Ford-Sable-Taurus-2000-05/Engine-Mechanical-Components/Valve-Lash-Clearance-Adjustment/_/P-0996b43f8036e1ec) ---
**Author:** ![scott92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@scott92](https://community.cartalk.com/u/scott92)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 8:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-taurus-sputters/85539/14 "2014-06-23T08:22:14Z")
No its a 3.0L. It ran fine today the wife said. It only happens every other day it seems. ---
**Author:** ![mystic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@mystic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mystic)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-taurus-sputters/85539/15 "2014-06-23T18:24:58Z")
I’ve got the answer! Only drive the car on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays etc. Just kidding… : )